Convertible stepstool



June 27, 1961 J. E. VKEMPH 2,990,005

CONVERTIBLE STEPSTOOL Filed Aug. 26, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 James E. Kemp/1 INVENTOR.

June 27, 1961 J. E. KEMPH CONVERTIBLE STEPSTOOL 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 26, 1959 Fig. 5

James E Kemp/1 INVENTOR.

2,990,005 CONVERTIBLE S'IEPSTOOL James E. Kemph, Box 554, Woodstock, Ga. Filed Aug. 26, 1959, Ser. No. 836,121 6 Claims. (Cl. 155-43) The present invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in convertible kitchen-type furniture and has reference in particular to a novel stepstool, that is, a stepstool embodying facilities which may be converted from a first position to a second position to provide a seat with a backrest when in one position, and a practical and reliable ironing board when in a second position.

Briefly summarized, a preferred embodiment of the invention is that which is illustrated in the accompanying drawing and from which it will be observed that a principal unit or part thereof comprises a stand of requisite height which is preferably, but not necessarily constructed from metal tubing. This stand is made up of a pair or like inverted U-shaped leg-frames, the forward legs of which are provided with steps. There is also a top step mounted atop the frame which has additional purposes to be hereinafter described. A suitably elongated member constitutes a back rest when in an upright position and an ironing board when in a horizontal position. Novel means is provided on this elongated member on what may be called bottom side (when used as an ironing board) and this means serves to hingedly'mount the member atop the stand so that it may be swung readily from an upright or substantially vertical backrest position to a horizontal ironing boardposition. Novel latching and retaining means is provided-to maintain the elongated member in either of its established positions. In addition a seatboard is provided and this is hingedly linked to the means just referred to.

More specifically, the stand has the legs of its leg frames stabilized by horizontal braces and these bracesin turn support a cross-brace which functions, as will be later pointed out, as a retainer for a simple manually operated pivotally mounted latch.

The top step which is mounted atop the bight portions of the invented U-shaped leg-frames provides a support for a hingedly mounted prop which is carried by the seat. This plate is also provided at a forward edge with a horizontal cleat and a portion of the cleat projects above the plate to serve as a stop shoulder on the one hand with a portion depending below the plate and having a slot therein which serves as a keeper for the aforementioned latch when the latch is cooperable therewith.

A general object of the invention is to structurally, functionally and otherwise improve upon so-called combination ironing boards and stepstools and, in doing so, to provide a structurally novel and distinct adaptation having appreciable refinements and improvements which will be likely to meet with widespread adoption and approval by members of the public and will, it is submitted, appeal to manufacturers and retailers who endorse and promote new ideas and advocate the use of Inultipurpose furniture for use in limited quarters.

Other objects, features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the drawings, wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the views:

FIG. 1 is a view in side elevation with portions broken away showing the improved convertible device, the shiftable or movable parts thereof being disposed in relationship to provide an ironing board.

FIG. 2 is a rear end view, that is a view looking at FIG. 1 in a direction from right to left.

Patented June 27, 1961 FIG. 3 is a view in side elevation similar to FIG. 1 but showing the relationship of the convertible or shiftable parts when used as a stepstool with an upstanding backrest. 7

FIG. 4 is a view in front elevation of the structure seen in FIG. 3 and looking at it in a direction from left to right with a portion of the backrest omitted.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view, that is a view on a larger scale, with parts in section and elevation and showing the relationship of the parts when the ironing board is in use.

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 with the parts in their relationship when serving as a seat-equipped stepstool.

FIG. 7 is a view with the parts on an exaggerated scale taken on the plane of the line 7-7 of FIG. 5 looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 8 is a similar detail view with parts in section and elevation taken on the plane of the line 8-8 of FIG. 5.

As is evident-the stepstoo is of a type having not only a seat or seatboard but also a backrest. Broadly, the stepstool is characterized by a base or, more specifically, a stand. The stand in turn is made up primarily of a pair of spaced parallel-like inverted U-shaped tubular metal frames .10. Each frame is the same in construction and the description of one will serve for both. To this end each frame comprises depending outwardly and downwardly diverging legs 12 and a horizontal bight portion 14. The lower ends of the legs may be provided with glides (not detailed). The front legs are provided withsuitably constructed and arranged steps 16. Spanning the space between .the bight portions and suitably fixed thereto is a flat horizontal plate 18-. At the forward marginal edge there is a smaller plate which is referred to here as a cleat20and this also spans the space between the bight portions andis fixed thereto and has an upper edge portion (FIG. 6) extending above the planeof the plate 18 and serving as a stop shoulder in the manner evident from FIG. 5'. There is a lower half portion depending below the plane of the plate 18 and this has a keeper slot 22 which serves in a manner to be described (see FIG. 6). The stand also has horizontal rigidifying braces 24 between the front and rear legs. These braces in turn support a transverse or cross brace 26 which functions in a manner to be described as shown for example in FIG. 5. a

The elongated member which is more specifically referred to as a backrest and ironing board is denoted generally by the numeral 28 and this is of any suitable construction to serve in the manner illustrated in the draw ings.

With reference in particular to FIG. 5 it will be seen that the numeral 30 designates an oblique angled U- shaped cradling frame, the limbs of which are denoted at 32 and the bight portion at 34. The upper ends of the limbs in FIG. 5 are laterally bent, bolted or otherwise fixed at 36 to the frame members 38 of the ironing board. The median portions of these limbs 32 are hingedly mounted as at 40 on median portions of the bight portions 14. The hinging bolt is shown in detail in FIG. 8 and it will be noticed that a spacer sleeve is provided at 42 in order to insure proper operation and cradling and swinging of the U-frame between bight portions 14.

The numeral 44 designates, broadly speaking, stay means. More specifically, the stay means comprises a pair of downwardly diverging braces or arms 46; The upper ends are bent laterally and fixed to the ironing board frame members as at 48. The lower converging ends (see FIG. 7) are suitably shaped and are connected by bolts or equivalent fasteners 48 to the bight portion 34 of the U-frame. There is a web plate 50 provided here with its marginal edge portions embracing the arms and bolted thereto as at 51. This plate is somewhat triangulate in shape and the lower apical end portion 52 is partly wrapped around the bight portion 30 and secured by the same bolts 48. This web serves to accommodate a simple manually operated latch 54. More particularly the median portion of the latch is hingedly mounted at 56 on the central portion of the web and one end portion of the latch depends and is provided with a cranklike handle 58. The other end 60 of the latch projects and is arranged so that when the parts are in the position seen in FIG. 6 this end portion 60 extends through the aforementioned keeper slot 22 in the cleat 20. With the construction thus far described it will be evident that this latch has one position as illustrated in FIG. 6 and also a second position as illustrated in FIG. 5. When in the last named position it will be evident that the crank equipped end of the latch actually engages behind, so to speak, the aforementioned brace 26 allowing the brace 26 to serve as a stop for the latch. In order to change the parts it is necessary to swing the latch to a position to clear this stop brace 26.

Thus far the description has emphasized primarily the member 28 which constitutes the backrest and ironing board. It will be more easily understood how the ironing board functions by referring for example to FIG. wherein it will be seen that the cradling frame 30 is the hinging and supporting means for the ironing board and the means 44 consitutes a brace and carries the latch with the latch 54 engaged behind the brace 26 thus preventing rocking of the ironing board in one direction. By releasing the latch 54 as already mentioned and swinging the ironing board to an upright position it then becomes a backrest and at this time the substantially vertical cradling frame 30 (FIG. 5) takes the horizontal position as seen in FIG. 6 and the stabilizing or stay 44 takes a forwardly and upwardly. inclined position at which time the free end 60 of the latch is engaged with the keeper slot 22.

With reference now to the numeral 62 this designates a simple seat board. One marginal edge (the rear marginal edge) is hingedly joined at 64 to the upper end of the limbs or arms 32 of the U-frame 30. When in the position seen in FIG. 5 this seat board underlies the ironing board and it is held partly in this position by 'way of a simple flat plate which is here referred to as a prop 66. The prop is hingedly connected at 68 to a median part of the then existing underside of the seat. The prop rests on the top step plate 18 and also rests behind the cleat 20 which then serves as a shoulder and prevents rocking of the ironing board in the opposite direction thus keeping the ironing board level. The seat can be folded down to the position seen in FIG. 6 by way of the hinge means and also the hinge means 68 allows. the prop 66 to sandwich itself between the plate 18 and the seat in What is believed to be an obvious manner. Thus the seat 62 may be propped up as seen in FIG. 5 or, when the board 8 is swung to its upright position, lowered to a seat forming position as seen in FIG. 6. The aforementioned latch means 54 when properly regulated by hand serves to keep the relative parts in their intended stool relationship or ironing board relationship all in a seemingly evident manner.

7 It is believed that a careful consideration of the specification in conjunction with the views of the drawings will enable the reader to understand the construction and the combination and convertible aspects of the multipurpose stepstool and ironing board combination. Therefore, a more lengthy description is regarded as unnecessary.

Minor changes in shape, size, materials and rearrangement of parts may be resorted to in actual practice without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A convertible stepstool comprising a vertical stand embodying leg-frames having horizontal steps fixed thereto, an elongated member capable of providing a backrest when in a first selected upright position and an ironing board when disposed in a second selected horizontal position, a supporting and cradling frame fixed to a median portion of one side of said member and lateral thereto and hingedly mounted on the upper part of said stand in a manner to permit said member to be moved and switched from the first position to the second position and vice versa, means including a manually actuatable latch for releasably retaining said member and its cradling frame against swinging movement in opposite directions in said first position and against swinging movement in one direction in said second position, a seat having an edge portion hingedly connected to said cradling frame and engageable beneath the member when in said second position, a prop hingedly mounted on the bottom of said seat for supporting the member, in conjunction with the seat, against swinging movement in the opposite direction in said second position, and supporting means for the prop fixed atop said stand;

2. A convertible stepstool comprising a vertical stand embodying leg-frames having horizontal steps fixed thereto, an elongated member capable of providing a backrest when in a first selected upright position and an ironing board when disposed in a second selected horizontal position, a supporting and cradling frame fixed to a median portion of one side of said member and lateral thereto and hingedly mounted on the upper part of said stand in a manner to permit said member to be moved and switched from the first position to the second position and vice versa, means including a manually ac'tuatable latch for releasably retaining said member and its cradling frame against swinging movement in opposite directions in said first position and against swinging movement in one direction in said second position, a seat having an edge portion hingedly connected to said cradling frame and engageable beneath the member when in said second position, a prop hingedly mounted on the bottom ofsaid seat for supporting the member, in conjunction With the seat, against swinging movement in the opposite direction in said second position, supporting means for the prop fixed atop said stand, said leg-frames being of inverted U-shaped form, each leg-frame having a bight portion and depending legs, the bight portions being in a common plane, said supporting means for said prop comprising a horizontal plate fixed atop the bight portions and spanning the space therebetween and interposed between the seat and bight portions, and a stop on said plate for retaining the prop in an operative position thereon.

3. A convertible stepstool comprising a vertical stand embodying leg-frames having horizontal steps fixed thereto,,an elongated member capable of providing a backrest when in a first selected upright position and an ironing board when disposed in a second selected horizontal position, a supporting and cradling frame fixed to a median portion of one side of said member and lateral thereto and hingedly mounted on the upper part of said stand in a manner to permit said member to be moved and switched from the first position to the second position and vice versa, means including a manually actuatable latch for releasably retaining said member and its cradling frame against swinging movement in opposite directions in said first position and against swinging movement in one direction in said second position, a seat. having an edge portion hingedly connected to said cradling frame and engageable beneath the member when in said second position, a prop hingedly mounted on the bottom of said seat for supporting the member, in conjunction with the seat, against swinging movement in the opposite direction in said second position, supporting means for the prop fixed atop said stand, said leg-frames being of inverted U-shaped form, each leg-frame having a bight portion and depending legs, the bight portions being in a common plane, said supporting means for said prop comprising a horizontal plate fixed atop the bight portions and spanning the space therebetween and interposed between the seat and bight portions, a cleat located at a forward end portion of said plate and at right angles thereto, a portion of said cleat extending above the plate and providing a stop shoulder for said prop, and a portion of the cleat depending below said plate and having a keeper slot for said latch for securing the member in said first position.

4. A convertible stepstool comprising a vertical stand embodying leg-frames having horizontal steps fixed there to, an elongated member capable of providing a backrest when in a first selected upright position and an ironing board when disposed in a second selected horizontal position, a supporting and cradling frame fixed to a median portion of one side of said member and lateral thereto and hingedly mounted on the upper part of said stand in a manner to permit said member to be moved and switched from the first position to the second position and vice versa, means including a manually actuatable latch for releasably retaining said member and its cradling frame against swinging movement in opposite directions in said first position and against swinging movement in one direction in said second position, a seat having an edge portion hingedly connected to said cradling frame and engageable beneath the member when in said second position, a prop hingedly mounted on the bottom of said seat for supporting the member, in conjunction with the seat, against swinging movement in the opposite direction in said second position, supporting means for the prop fixed atop said stand, said leg-frames being of inverted U-shaped form, each leg-frame having a bight portion and depending legs, the bight portions being in a common plane, said supporting means for said prop comprising a horizontal plate fixed atop the bight portions and spanning the space therebetween and interposed between the seat and bight portions, a cleat located at a forward end portion of said plate and at right angles thereto, a portion of said cleat extending above the plate and providing a stop shoulder for said prop, and a por tion of the cleat depending below said plate and having a keeper slot for said latch, said stand having braces connected with the legs of the leg-frames, one of said braces having the function of a retainer for said latch for securing the member in said second position.

5. A convertible stepstool comprising a vertical stand embodying leg-frames having horizontal steps fixed thereto, an elongated member capable of providing a backrest when in a first selected upright position and an ironing board when disposed in a position, a supporting and second selected horizontal cradling frame fixed to a median portion of one side of said member and lateral thereto and hingedly mounted on the upper part of said stand in a manner to permit said member to be moved and switched from the first position to the second position and vice versa, stay means fixed at an angle to the said member and spaced longitudinally from said cradling frame and angled toward said cradling frame and joined rigidly thereto, said stay means and cradling frame being disposed in converging relationship, a latch pivotally mounted on said stay means, a seat having an edge portion hingedly connected to said cradling frame and engageable beneath the member, a prop for said seat hingedly mounted on the bottom of said seat, and means mounted atop said stand for cooperating with the prop for supporting one end of the member in the second position in conjunction with the seat and also said latch for securing the member in the first position.

6. A convertible stepstool comprising a stand, a generally U-shaped member having its arms secured at an intermediate point to the upper portion of the stand for swinging movement in a vertical plane, a board fixed at an intermediate point on the ends of said member and swingable to a horizontal position to provide an ironing table or to a substantially upright position to function as a backrest, a keeper mounted on the stand, a latch mounted on the bight portion of the member and engageable selectively with said keeper for releasably securing the board in its upright position, or with the stand for releasably securing the board against swinging movement in one direction in its horizontal position, and means for securing the board against movement in the opposite direction from its horizontal position, said means including a seat hingedly secured beneath the board for abutting engagement therewith when in an inoperative position and adapted to rest on the stand when in an operative position, and a prop hingedly secured beneath the seat and engageable with the stand for supporting said seat in said inoperative position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,452,749 Mayberry Apr. 24, 1923 1,479,594 Fennell Jan. 1, 1924 1,710,270 Petersen Apr. 23, 1929 1,982,111 King Nov. 27, 1934 1,984,506 Walters Dec. 18, 1934 2,024,960 Allerding Dec. 17, 1935 2,640,526 Lightbourne June 2, 1953 

